Flag State and Port State Control

Question 1

What is Flag State?

Answer 1

• Flag state is the country to whom a vessel is registered to. It is then bound to carry the flag of that state and also follow the rules and regulations enforced by that state. They have the legal authority and responsibility to enforce regulations upon vessels that are registered under their flag.

Question 2

What are the Responsibilities of Flag State?

Answer 2

• Maintain a register of all ships.

Compliance with international legislation

• Safety; construction, equipment, seaworthiness of ships
• Pollution prevention methods

Welfare

• Manning of ships
• Labour conditions for crew
• Training of crew

Certification
- Issuing of DOC and SMC etc.

• Taxes
• Salvage; flag state issue contract of salvage
• Surveys

Question 3

What is Port State Control?

Answer 3

• A Port state can inspect a ship at any time to ensure that they meet international safety, security and envo standards.
• A ship falls under the laws of a Flag state if it is in their territorial waters (e.g. Panama flagged ship would be upheld to the standards of the MCA if it was in British waters)

Question 4

What Sanctions can a Port State Control Officer Issue?

Answer 4

• Minor non-conformity
• Major non-conformity
• Ship can be detained by Port state

Question 5

What is the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)?

Answer 5

• Paris MOU is a group of EU countries that share information
• They share info about the status of ships (any non-conformities and inspection dates)
• There are different MOUs around the world